Our break in Bridport was a blast with Andrew, Sarah, Ottmar, Elizabeth and Louisa travelling all the way up from Hobart as it was a long w/e. Great meal together at the unit Elizabeth and Ottmar were staying in and another at the 'top' pub on the Sunday night. I would really recomend the meals there. We set off Monday morning as knowing the wx was forecast to deteriorate over the next day or so we were determined to get out of Bridport. Nearly got around East Sandy Cape but it didn't look very inviting with an increasingly big swell so turned back and set up camp for the day. After a big squall the wind almost dropped out completely so we packed up and were out on the water by early arvo reaching the Little Piper River 20km or more further west around West Sandy Cape.
Sat out the gales on Tuesday at the mouth of the Little Piper River and couldn't have asked for a better place to be storm bound. A really nice spot only marred by heaps of rubbish and 4wd damage. The SW headwinds forecast for the following day didn't really eventuate so we got as far as Low Head. Cathy visited us there with in her words a 'little Red Riding Hood' basket of goodies, fresh veg, cake, dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. From Low Head to Penguin the next day the wind was good for sailing so we achieved our longest day so far on the trip - 68km as well as having two lunches.
After a strange lunch at Boat Harbour, where we seemed to be the resort's morning attraction, we camped in Rocky Cape National Park, at the last sandy beach west of Sisters Beach, well within reach of Stanley the next morning even without the wind helping us along.
Arrived in Stanley yesterday at high tide after a fantastic sail from Rocky Cape with an ever increasing NE wind and we are here until Monday when the Post Office opens to pick up our next lot of maps to take us to Strahan. Wx still really settled so it is slightly frustrating to be here over the w/e but a few days rest will go down well. Had a lovely roast chicken and vegies for dinner last night, so good to eat roast, and toast for breakfast too.
The usual routine today after a sleep in, fixing little things on the kayak, food stocktake ready to go shopping this afternoon and charging phone, vhf and AA batteries. Wx forecasts now broadcast from Smithton Coastguard at completely different times to Hobart Coast Radio and Tamar Coastguard; we just about start to remember the times when we move into a different broadcast area!
Can't say the N coast of Tas provides much sea kayaking interest though it wasn't as urban as I thought it could be. Camped on the grass just behind the beach at Penguin was very social with lots of dog walkers passing our tent. Sorry no pics, that will have to wait until Strahan - not that we took many since Bridport.
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